Foldable furniture device

ABSTRACT

A foldable furniture device includes a main frame, and first and second leg frames. Each first or second leg frame includes two spaced-apart leg sections which have top ends pivotally connected to the main frame. The leg sections of the first leg frame respectively have slide rails. The leg sections of the second leg frame respectively have slide pins that extend respectively into the slide rails to connect movably the second leg frame to the first leg frame. A positioning pin is attached to each leg section of the first leg frame, and is movable into a respective slide rail so as to immobilize a corresponding slide pin. Each slide pin is movable between first and second ends of the slide rail when the bottom ends of the first and second leg sections move toward and away from the main frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a furniture device, more particularly to a foldable furniture device, such as a foldable chair.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional foldable chair assembly 7 includes a leg frame 8 and a seat member 9. The leg frame 8 includes two intersecting U-shaped legs 81, each of which has front and rear leg sections 83, 84. The seat member 9 is connected between top ends of the front and rear leg sections 83, 84. The front leg sections 83 of the U-shaped legs 81 are connected pivotally to each other by a pivot member 85, and are interconnected by a cross bar 86. The rear leg sections 84 of the U-shaped legs 81 are connected pivotally to each other by another pivot member (not visible), and are interconnected by another cross bar 86′. Each of the cross bars 86, 86′ can be folded and unfolded. When unfolded, each cross bar 86, 86′ forms a straight line so as to position the U-shaped legs 81 in an unfolded state.

However, the user may easily injure his/her hand during the folding operation of the cross bars 86, 86′, i.e., the user's fingers may be pinched by the cross bars 86, 86′. Hence, there is a need to provide a foldable chair assembly with a more simple, safe, and reliable structure.

SUMMRY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a foldable furniture device that can be easily folded and unfolded.

According to this invention, a foldable furniture device comprises a main frame, a first leg frame, a second leg frame, and a positioning pin. The first leg frame includes two spaced-apart first leg sections which have top ends pivotally connected to the main frame, and bottom ends. The first leg sections respectively have slide rails extending along a longitudinal direction of the first leg sections. The slide rails respectively have first ends directed toward the top ends of the first leg sections, and second ends directed toward the bottom ends of the first leg sections. The second leg frame includes two spaced-apart second leg sections which have top ends pivotally connected to the main frame, and bottom ends. The second leg sections respectively have slide pins that extend into the slide rails, respectively, to connect movably the second leg frame to the first leg frame. The positioning pin is attached to each of the first leg sections, and is movable into a respective one of the slide rails so as to immobilize a corresponding one of the slide pins. The slide pins respectively move toward the first ends of the slide rails when the bottom ends of the first and second leg sections move toward the main frame, and respectively move toward the second, ends of the slide rails when the bottom ends of the first and second leg sections move away from the main frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference, to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional foldable chair assembly.;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a foldable chair embodying the present invention in an unfolded state;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of the chair of FIG. 2, illustrating how a forward portion of a positioning pin extends into a slide rail so as to immobilize a slide pin;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the chair of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates how operation of a pull member permits the slide pin to slide from a second end to a first end of the slide rail; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the chair of FIG. 2 in a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention is shown at “1” which designates a foldable chair. The chair 1 comprises a main frame 2, a first leg frame 3, a second leg frame 4, and a pull member 5.

In this embodiment, the main frame 2 is formed as a ring-shaped frame, and includes a pliable bag 23 that envelopes the ring-shaped frame. Four angularly spaced-apart inverted U-shaped pivot members 22 are provided around a bottom periphery of the main frame 2.

The first leg frame 3 includes two spaced-apart first leg sections 31 which have top ends connected pivotally and correspondingly to two of the pivot members 22 of the main frame 2. A cross bar 34 interconnects the bottom ends of the first leg sections 31. The first leg sections 31 respectively have slide rails 323 extending along a longitudinal direction of the first leg sections 31.

The slide rails 323 respectively have first ends 321 directed toward the top ends of the first leg sections 31, and second ends 322 directed toward the bottom ends of the first leg sections 31.

Each of the first leg sections 31 is further provided with an elongate rod 32, and a stationary tubular sleeve 311. The elongate rod 32 has two opposite bent ends 324 welded to the corresponding first leg section 31, and is spaced apart from the respective first leg section 31 between the bent ends 324 to define one of the slide. rails 323. The stationary tubular sleeve 311 is fixed, such as by welding, to the corresponding first leg section 31 proximate to the second end 322 of the respective slide rail 323, and projects transversely from the respective first leg section 31 in a direction opposite to the corresponding slide rail 323.

The second leg frame 4 includes two spaced-apart second leg sections 41 which have top ends connected pivotally and correspondingly to the other two of the pivot members 22 of the main frame 2. A cross bar 43 interconnects the bottom ends of the second leg sections 41. The second leg sections 41 respectively have slide pins 42 that extend respectively into the slide rails 323 to connect movably the second leg frame 4 to the first leg frame 3.

A positioning pin 33 is mounted movably within the tubular sleeve 311 of a respective first leg section 31, and is movable into a respective slide rail 323 so as to immobilize a corresponding slide pin 42, as best shown in FIG. 3. The positioning pin 33 has a rear portion 331 movably received within the tubular sleeve 311, a forward portion 332 which has a diameter larger than that of the rear portion 331 and which passes through the respective first leg section 31 to extend into the respective slide rail 323, and a shoulder portion 334 between the rear portion 331 and the forward portion 332. The tubular sleeve 311 is provided with a spring member 333 around the rear portion 331 of the positioning pin 33.

When the positioning pin 33 is inserted into the respective tubular sleeve 311, the spring member 333 abuts against the shoulder portion 334 of the positioning pin 33, and biases the forward portion 332 of the positioning pin 33 to move toward the respective slide rail 323 and to press against the elongate rod 32. To remove the forward portion 332 of the positioning pin 33 from the respective slide rail 323, a force is applied to the rear portion 331 of the positioning pin 33 so that the forward portion 332 of the positioning pin 33 moves away from the respective slide rail 323 and retracts into the tubular sleeve 311 of the respective first leg section 31. During this operation, the shoulder portion 334 of the positioning pin 33 compresses the spring member 333. When the force applied to the rear portion 331 of the positioning pin 33 is released, the restoring force of the spring member 333 biases the forward portion 332 of the positioning pin 33 to move toward the respective slide rail 323.

To facilitate operation of the foldable chair 1 of the present invention, a pull member 5 is provided outwardly of the tubular sleeves 311 of the first leg sections 31. The pull member 5 has two opposite ends connected respectively to the rear portions 331 of the positioning pins 33 in the tubular sleeves 311 of the first leg sections 31. During operation, the user simply pulls the pull member 5 in a rearward direction so as to move the rear portions 331 of the positioning pins 33 rearwardly along with the pull member 5, and, at the same time, cause the forward portions 332 of the positioning pins 33 to retract into the tubular sleeves 311.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the foldable chair 1 is in the unfolded state, the bottom ends of the first and second leg sections 31, 41 are moved away from the main frame 2, the first leg frame 3 intersects the second leg frame 4, and the slide pins 42 are located at the second ends 322 of the respective slide rails 323. At this time, since the lengths of the first leg sections 31 are longer than the lengths of the second leg sections 41, the first and second leg frames 3, 4 support the ring-shaped main frame 2 on the ground with the pliable bag 23 inclining with respect to the ground. The pliable bag 23 serves to provide a backrest and a seat for the user during this time. It should be noted that when the slide pins 42 are positioned in the second ends 322 of the slide rails 323, the forward portions 332 of the positioning pins 33 extend into the slide rails 323 so as to restrict movement of the slide pins 42 in the slide rails 323, so that the foldable chair can be maintained in the unfolded state.

Referring to FIG. 5, when folding of the foldable chair 1 is desired, the pull member 5 is simply pulled in a rearward direction so as to displace the rear portions 331 of the positioning pins 33 rearwardly along with the pull member 5. This causes the forward portions 332 of the positioning pins 33 to retract into the first leg sections 311, thereby releasing the restriction on the movement of the slide pins 42 in the slide rails 323 so that the slide pins 42 can move toward the first ends 321 of the slide rails 323. In this state, and by virtue of gravity and the pivotable connections as described above, the bottom ends of the first and second leg frames 3, 4 move gradually toward the main frame 2 until the foldable chair 1 is folded as shown in FIG. 6.

From the aforementioned description of the foldable chair 1 of the present invention, it is apparent that by simply operating the pull member 5, the foldable chair 1 can be easily and safely folded and unfolded. Furthermore, since the lengths of the first and second leg frames 3, 4 are different, when they support the main frame 2 on the ground, the main frame 2 is inclined with respect to the ground, thereby providing sitting comfort, as well as enhancing the appearance of the foldable chair 1.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A foldable furniture device comprising: a main frame; a first leg frame including two spaced-apart first leg sections which have top ends pivotally connected to said main frame, and bottom ends, said first leg sections respectively having slide rails extending along a longitudinal direction of said first leg sections, said slide rails respectively having first ends directed toward said top ends of said first leg sections, and second ends directed toward said bottom ends of said first leg sections; a second leg frame including two spaced-apart second leg sections which have top ends pivotally connected to said main frame, and bottom ends, said second leg sections respectively having slide pins that extend into said slide rails, respectively, to connect movably said second leg frame to said first leg frame; and a positioning pin attached to each of said first leg sections and movable into a respective one of said slide rails so as to immobilize a corresponding one of said slide pins; wherein said slide pins respectively move toward said first ends of said slide rails when said bottom ends of said first and second leg sections move toward said main frame; and wherein said slide pins respectively move toward said second ends of said slide rails when said bottom ends of said first and second leg sections move away from said main frame.
 2. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first leg sections is further, provided with an elongate rod which has two opposite bent ends connected to one of said first leg sections and which is spaced apart from the respective one of said first leg sections between said bent ends to define one of said slide rails.
 3. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said first leg sections is further provided with a stationary tubular sleeve that is fixed to the respective one of said first leg sections adjacent to the respective one of said slide rails and that projects transversely from the respective one of said first leg sections in a direction opposite to the respective one of said slide rails.
 4. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said positioning pin has a rear portion movably received within said tubular sleeve, and a forward portion passing through the respective one of said first leg sections to extend into the respective one of said slide rails.
 5. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tubular sleeve is provided with a spring member around said rear portion of said. positioning pin to bias said forward end of said positioning pin to move toward the respective one of said slide rails.
 6. The foldable furniture device-as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a pull member provided outwardly of said tubular sleeve and connected to said rear portion of said positioning pin.
 7. The foldable furniture-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main frame is formed as a ring-shaped frame, and includes a pliable bag that envelopes said ring-shaped frame, said ring-shaped frame and said pliable bag cooperatively forming a combined seat and backrest unit of a chair. 